Rolf Kuhn is not very well known in the UK, but he
is a world-class jazz clarinet player as well as an outstanding musical
director. He was in the Benny Goodman band in 1957 on alto sax and
deputised for the leader on some occasions, could I say more? This
album was a sort of last act of defiance before the RIAS Big Band,
one of Europe’s finest big bands, was wound up because of financial
constraints. For some years prior to this recording the band had been
coached by American trombonist Jiggs Whigham, his influence shows
as it does currently with the BBC Big Band.

Rolf Kuhn who is a film buff had for many years wanted
to make an album using a big band and on some tracks singers, of film
music. This album is the result and both the band and the Cologne
Singers, who provide most of the vocals, acquit themselves very well.
Rolf’s own clarinet playing is exemplary combining a faultless technique
with a perfect tone and a very exciting improvisational ability. There
is also some excellent tenor sax jazz solos, but the sleeve note does
not say by whom. I do know it was either Walter Gauchel or Gregoire
Peters, but I don’t know which!

I found this album very pleasant to listen to, but
I wonder which market it is aimed at, there is too much jazz for the
UK Easy Listening market and the jazzers, may be put off by some of
the vocals. The one by Max Raade on track 1, is particularly unusual
for an album of this type, being rather ‘Webster Boothish’ (remember
him) in it’s delivery. My sincere advise however is, don’t be put
off, there is a lot of very high-class music on this record. Some
very fine arrangements of some very good film themes are delivered
in an interesting way, highly recommended. Rolf Kuhn’s clarinet playing
is worth the price of the album and the RIAS Big Band and the Cologne
Singers have put together a production well worthy of their outstanding
talents.

I liked the Out of Africa track particularly, it
is a theme I am unfamiliar with, but somehow it feels as though you
know it!